Region of central
Italy on the
Adriatic coast, comprising the four provinces of
Pesaro-
Urbino,
Ancona,
Macerata and
Ascoli Piceno. Regonal capital
Ancona. A hilly, largely agricultural region consisting mainly of east-west ridges and valleys; the only good north-south communications are in the coastal strip.
The region borders Romagna to the north (as well as the independent enclave of San Marino), Umbria to the west and the Abruzzi to the south.
Sometimes referred to as the Marches in English.